To clarify, I am of Eastern European heritage, so I cannot help in the culture area, except to understand that there are definate differences between American and other cultures.
However, I would be interested to see what others say...
In the meantime, you have received some very good advice on where to begin.
"Acceptance doesn't mean resignation. It means understanding that something is what it is and there's got to be a way through it."--Michael J. Fox
